Odisha Chief Minister on July 8 appealed for cooperation of all including devotees for the smooth conduct of Lord Jagannaths annual Ratha Yatra this year. The yatra will be held on July 12 amid strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

Naveen Patnaik sought blessings of the lord while reviewing the preparation for the mega event falling on July 12. The deadly virus COVID-19 havoc still remains just like the last year. In view of coronavirus pandemic, this time also the world-famous Mahaprabhu's Ratha Yatra will be held in an extraordinary situation. 'Kalia Thakur' (as Lord Jagannath referred) will be seen all over the world on television and social media. The preparation for most awaited big occasion for many devotees is almost in the final stage. Patnaik thanked everyone for the hassle-free completion of the ratha yatra last year and wished the people of Puri town will wholeheartedly cooperate as they did last year. This is the second consecutive year for state government organising the devotee-less ratha yatra due to the prevailing COVID situation. The government has completely banned presence of people at the Grand Road in front of the 12th century shrine in Puri during the chariots procession. Corona Curfew will be tightened on the grand road a day before the ratha yatra day as a concern. Furthermore, COVID-19 negative or servitors having administered both the doses of the vaccine will be allowed to pull the chariots. The officials will also have to produce the COVID-19 certificate before joining the duty, Puri Collector Samarth Verma said. Joining the meeting, Health and Family Welfare Minister NK Das said that special arrangements have been made for health care during the ratha yatra.

Meanwhile, with barely three days away for the festival, the district administration of Puri along with the health department set up camps for the RT-PCR tests. Around 8,000 people including 3,000 servitors of lord Jagannath, 3,000 police personnel, 1,000 servitors engaged in chariot construction work and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration staff will undergo the test for the second time ahead of the festival. At the same time, a special testing camp was also being organised for the COVID-19 test of about 1,000 media persons and other government employees. The people participating in the nine-day festival of the lord will undergo COVID tests four times to check spread of the deadly infection. The Grand Road will be transformed into a green zone for emergency services during the ratha yatra. The fire fighting vehicles and ambulances can play in the green zone. The security will be tightened around the Puri town, the SP said.

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